Selecting the right component to integrate into an application is challenging and risky, particularly without empirical evidence that a component will be dependable in a particular context. This empirical COTS evaluation method reduces selection risks by focusing on a specific target context. It also supports integration by highlighting the component weaknesses that must be addressed to achieve success. Developers can apply this process to any specific context and COTS component. This method has been used to compare the dependability of real-time Java virtual machines in the spacecraft software domain.